Scrapbook Item 10: Title IX's Effect on Majority and Minority within Sports

Link to this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/sports/02gender.html?_r=1

In class on November 22, 2011, we discussed Title IX and all of the replications that go into making this a law that all sport programs should follow. Many believe that Title IX only helps girls and women's teams at different levels but it can also help boys and men's teams as well because it does not ever specify a specific gender within the law. The main point is that there needs to equitable opportunities for both male and female athletes of all ages. In the article above, it talks about how the University of Delaware was being discriminatory against their varsity male track team in getting rid of it. Many universities have been having to move some of their male varsity squads down to a club level and bringing up the female club level sports up to a varsity level standard. Russlynn H. Ali, who is the assistant education secretary, head of the civil rights office stated, "Title IX protects against sex discrimination,” Ali said. “Traditionally, the underrepresented sex in institutions of higher education has been women. That is changing.” Many people do not realize the change in majority and minority of male and female within university walls because no one wants to believe it but times are changing and society is going to start having a reality check and accepting it.

In Coakley's text on pages 234-239, it discusses Title IX and if such a law can bring equitable status to sports between male and female athletes. Athletes have gone through a lot of stress and tragedy trying to get up to an equitable relationship but it is still not at that status and the law is coming up on its 40 year anniversary of being in place. Just like the issues with race and ethnicity in sport, the minority in gender for athletes is in effect as well. Even though it is changing to some degree on who is the minority and who is the majority, it still relates that there is no equitable feeling between the way the programs should be treated. Due to Title IX, sports have been getting cut left and right from varsity level down to club and it is not fair to a lot of athletes that are on scholarship to that particular university of choice. Title IX has a lot of loop holes that need to be fixed because many universities are not in compliance with it because they have figured out how to get around certain parts of the law.

I believe that athletics needs to be at an equitable stand point for all who are participating. It is not fair that sports are getting cut from a varsity level because universities know they will not be able to be at standard due to their funding for sports such as baseball, football, basketball, etc. It is not fair to all of the athletes especially ones that are on scholarship at a specific university because they are missing out on participating in a dream because a university is being stingy with the funding they receive from the government. Females were the minority at the college level for so long and now it is finally changing but it is not fair to give males the same treatment that female athletes had to go through for so long. If people would just take a step back and look at the large picture for equitable treatment maybe things would get changed faster but that will not happen until people get off of their high horses and start actually paying attention to the reality right in front of them.

Scrapbook Item 9: The Change of the African American Athlete

Link to this article: http://www.thenation.com/article/162383/black-athlete-today

In class on the days of November 10 and 15, 2011, we discussed race and ethnicity with a specific look at African American athletes within sport today. Athletes used to not be as recognized in sport as they are today because the main focus was male, white athletes up until I would say about the 1980-1990s. Even though they are getting recognized more within the media, it is usually not know for the best information being passed to society. There are many athletes that have been recognized such as Muhammad Ali, Michael Vick, Lebron James and the list could continue on and on but these are the athletes recognized because they have participated in big name sports that are always followed. African Americans are trying to change their image around through athletics and being better role models for kids since they are the ones that see them the most while playing a sport.

Coakley talks about the sport participation among African Americans on pages 293 and 294 of the text. Throughout time, blacks were not able to participate in any sport with whites because they believed they were not capable of associating with them at such a respectful level. Fast forward to today and there is mingling between whites and blacks but it is still not represented as well as it should be across the board. Blacks do not receive much attention for their accomplishments within sport as much as white athletes do and it should change. Even though black, male athletes get praised for their high price sports such as basketball and football, but that is still only two sports out of the many that are played in the US today.

I think it is ridiculous how black athletes do not get as much as respect as white athletes do within the United States. There are athletes that do just as well, even better within sports but because of their race, they are looked the other way. We live in the 21st century now and it has changed but not as much as it should be noticed for all of society. If they are able to compete at such a competitive level then they should get the recognition they deserve, no matter what race or ethnicity they are. We do not live in the 1950s anymore and sometimes depending on where a person grew up, I think many US citizens still sometimes forget that. I believe that there should be more views towards black athletes and other races and ethnicity's outside of football and basketball within the media. It will start to continue to grow as it has but people need to support it more or it will die out and nothing will ever get accomplished in the end, which is what needs to not occur during this century.

Scrapbook Item 8: Manny is Going, Going, Going, GONE!

Link to this article: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2011/04/manny-ramirez-notifies-mlb-of-intent-to-retire/1

In class on November 8, 2011, we continued our discussion on deviance in sport by going further looking into the use of drugs by athletes. Many players use steroids and performance enhancing drugs to make themselves better athletes to win games and improve records. A prime suspect of using drugs while playing in a professional league was Manny Ramirez. He was accused several times of using drugs throughout his career and finally during this past season, he had enough and announced his retirement as an active player. He had an amazing career playing under the Indians, Red Sox, Dodgers and Rays organizations in his 19-year career.

Coakley talks about sport drugs and how to control them on pages 179-191. There is so much the organizations can do to prevent it but the testing can only go so far to keep athletes from doing it. Manny had been tested many times and somehow got away with it for all those years if he was using the drugs his entire career. In 2009 he was suspended for 50 games because he was in violation and if he been caught again, it would have gone up to a suspension of 100 games. Within the MLB especially, it is just a conformity that athletes will use enhancing drugs to get bigger and be able to have more strength to hit the ball harder. It is a sad point of life that has changed America's game. When athletes conform to the norm it is not always the best decision for them to do but if they want to be the best and continue to make money at the professional level, most of them due result in taking the drugs which end up messing with their bodies in the long run for the worse.

Although I used to be a huge Manny Ramirez fan when he did play for the Boston Red Sox, I do not approve in his actions to become the amazing player that he was during his career. Athletes who use performance enhancing drugs are just plain out stupid because it will help them for that specific period of time but it does mess with their body later down the road when they get older. Steroids and performance enhancing drugs are not just ruining MLB but other sports as well, it is just most popular with baseball athletes. Even though drug testing can be viewed as controversial, it needs to be done because sports need to be continued to be played as fair competition. Many would disagree with that statement but that is what they were founded on and it has turned into a huge business but the drugs need to be left out of it. If athletes continue to do drugs, their careers are going to be ruined and ended fairly quickly like Ramirez's was this past season. Athletes are going to continue to spiral down if they do not get their acts together with their careers and reputations being ruined if they don't stop taking the drugs. Are the drugs really worth it, that is the question that should be asked repeatedly and hopefully the answer continues to change for the better over time.

Scrapbook Item 7: Sandusky and All of the Lies

Link to this article: http://abcnews.go.com/US/penn-state-suspects-lawyer-victim-lied-felt-important/story?id=15007125

In class on November 3, 2011, we talked about deviance in sport and society. Throughout the media the last couple of weeks, the Penn State scandal has been widely known with Sandusky and the children that he molested. Evidence continues to come forward and be taken away in trying to either convict or find him innocent with all of the testimonies and information being given from people he has interacted with through the charity that he ran. Whether he is found guilty or innocent, the acts of knowing this had all occurred by himself and others that he worked with is ridiculous. This is where the act goes wrong because people knew that it happened and they let it continue since he agreed to 40 counts of child molestation. Not only is Sandusky at fault but also all of the people that knew it occurred and never stepped up are also in the wrong as well.

Coakley talks about the deviance off the field and away from sports on pages 173-177 and most athletes deal with felony rates, alcohol use and binge drinking and delinquency rates. Unless it is huge, most athletes are the ones committing the crimes not the coaches. The coaches try to stay out of the light as much as possible because they have learned to stay low and out of paparazzi way. When the Sandusky scandal occurred, it not only took himself down but also many that were involved within the Penn State organization at all levels. Even though Sandusky was doing a good thing with the charity that he ran, it was still not being used in the right manner according to the allegations that are being put against him. If anyone knew about it, it should have been reported right away to the police and not going through the school because by what has happened, nothing got accomplished until it was somehow linked to media.

With all of the acts that are happening, it is outrageous that people are willing to look the other way if all of these acts did occur. Many individuals should be ashamed of themselves because they let Sandusky get away with these acts for far too long and not have anyone step in, telling him that this was wrong. Coaches can commit acts of deviance as well and it can be outside of sport, people jsut try to think they are in the clear doing nothing wrong if they do not pay attention to it. The name they established for themselves and Penn State is now ruined because of the acts they committed and I do not think it is worth it at all. They built up the program, their names, the university and it all came crashing down due a choice that was made by one individual. Our society has changed to be very messed up in the head and I hope that it tries to get better instead of worse because acts like these do not need to be committed or any deviant act on that matter and they need to stop immediately before it gets way too out of hand to control.

Scrapbook Item 6: When is Social Media too Much?

Link to this article: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/2011-02-06-cnbc-stadium_N.htm

In class on October 27, 2011, we discussed the relationship with social media and sports in today's society. When people are not linked in with the social media today, it is like they are the ones that are the odd man out because of how much it has grown. Many sports fans have Twitter and Facebook accounts to stay in touch with friends, coworkers, family, etc., but also to keep up to date on their favorite athletes and sport organizations. Leagues and coaches are starting to crack down though and set in special rules for how an athlete must act when using these sites especially while in season. The controversial problem is they cannot completely ban it because that is against the First Amendment rights but the specific rules like not being able to use it in season for some NCAA teams or not during game time for some professional leagues, are the rules in affect to keep the posts under control.

Coakley's text on pages 397-400 talks about new media and sports and how much it is growing and elaborating as things are introduced. Many use the social sites but there are so many different activities over the Internet that can be used such as news articles, fantasy leagues, checking up on stats, blogs, etc. In the 21st century, the Internet has developed a name all on its own with no comparison to anything of its kind. It has taken over all different types of media and made the social media number one overall and having everything turn digital as it continues to grow. The social media sites are the fastest growing and they have helped endorse a lot but get many athletes in trouble as well with the rules and regulations.

NCAA athletes have had the most issues with posting things on their twitter accounts about themselves and their organizations. Pitt is prime example because it has happened multiple times from different athletes in their sport programs but it has not just occurred within the one organization. Although it does go against the First amendment, the rules and regulations do need to be set in to keep the athletes under control when it comes to what they post on the Internet. Reporters are following them and they need to realize that they are looking for that one, little, slip up that gives them something juicy to report on during their next segment. As long as coaches, league owners, athletes, etc., watch what they say, the social websites will be fine but the one accident that happens after a tough loss will be the first mistake that can mess it up for everyone. Social Media is just a game that provides money to some and possibly hurtful points to others but it is all just a business and a game.

Scrapbook Item 5: An Athlete Going Under too Soon

Link to this article: http://ideas.time.com/2011/11/15/what-separates-an-athlete-from-his-money/

In class on October 20, 2011, we talked about sports and the economy and who benefits from sports the most. Although athletes are the ones that benefit the most from sports due to salaries, endorsements, appearance fees, etc., they are also the ones that end up spending the most as well. Many players end up going bankrupt soon after their career is over because they are not making as much money as they need to support their high lifestyle that they are used to when the money is flowing in at high speeds. Take for example, Michael Vick, he was making so much money when playing for the Atlanta Falcons and even though his trial fees cost way too much to even consider, he still should have had some money to support his family. Soon after the trials and his career was supposedly over, he filed for bankruptcy but his $100 million dollar contract from the Eagles currently might end up helping him a smidge.

In Coakley's text on pages 380-386, it talks about the legal status and incomes of athletes in commercial sports and how much freedom the professional athletes have with the differences in being on a team sport and being involved in individual sports. Athletes have a lot of freedom now a days when it comes to who they play for and how their money is earned and spent. Back before the the mid-1970s, athletes had to play for their team that drafted them and that was it. The reserve system was the key component giving the owners all of the control to do have their athletes be little puppets to what they say. Although this is still not in place anymore, the athletes and their unions have to worry about all they labor laws when renewing their CBAs with their individual leagues. It is simply easier to be an athlete of individual sport because their legal status changes from sport to sport and even each individual athlete as well.

Athletes are making huge amounts of money every time they step out on to the field or they endorse a certain product to the media, that there is really no reason for an athlete that makes huge amounts of money like Michael Vick to file for bankruptcy. Just because an athlete is in the media does not give them any reason to blow money faster than any other normal US citizen. There are consequences when going bankrupt and it sickening to see an athlete go through it, when it is clearly known that they make large amounts of money. I think they need to have more common sense to watch what they spend their money on and remember that they are every day citizens like the ones around them, they just have lots of money that can be used sparingly instead of all at once.

Scrapbook Item 4: 2012 Olympic Logo Considered Racist

Link to this article: http://www.newsytype.com/4520-2012-olympics-logo/

In class on October 13, 2011, we talked about specific events that impacted the Olympics in the upcoming years. Many dealt with boycotts or actions that took a toll on outside of countries with threats or propaganda or other sorts. One problem that escalated with the Olympics coming up in the next year was the the new logo was considered racist in the eyes of Iran. They believe the logo to be spelling out "Zion" and it is racist towards Israel. They are threatening the IOC that they will keep their athletes home for the 2012 Olympics if this logo is to continue to be the main one.

In Coakley's text on pages 450-458, it talks about Olympic history and if it is really special as we make it out to be. We put a lot of stress on the Olympics every four years and each year, whether it is big or small, there is no way that they IOC can make each individual country that is participating in the games happy one hundred percent of the time. There are ways that the IOC can make it easier on themselves when preparing the games but it is hard to make all those people happy and not find even the smallest thing that upsets a group of individuals. Each country has their own view and values on different activities which ends up making things hard to accomplish.

Coakley talks about how there is so many issues with the games that have led to different outbreaks. People end up bribing to host the games, the boycotts if countries do not like what other countries have done in the past or the choices of the IOC, etc. With the global processes that are going on in society, they link together with international sports played around the world. If there was anyway that the IOC could eliminate the politics from the Olympics and please all of the countries that are participating then there would be no problems. The only issue with that statement is that we do not live in the perfect world on Earth like we wish we all did and sometimes perceive to believe.

Although Iran does not like the design, it clearly states the reasoning to why it is designed this particular way and it is not racist towards any other countries. There are always going to be issues between countries because nothing can ever be truly perfect. The IOC and all participants just need to take a step back and breathe by getting themselves prepared for the games in less than 12 months. The games will be starting soon and the countries should be on some good terms before they arrive in London during the month of August. I believe that Iran can look past it and the countries should be on better terms before the games begin. If politics would stay out of sporting events everything would run a lot smoother but like stated above, we do not live in the perfect world that we wish we did and there is always room to change and improve in the future.